carrying anhydrous ammonia hitting a railroad bridge. Coaches and evaluators guided trainees to leverage interagency relationships and share capabilities for a rapid response, and this year’s exercise resulted in significant readiness gains across the trainees and port partners. “I learned a lot and was able to complete my ICS Situation Unit Leader qualification,” said Capt. Joe Campbell of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “The exercise series provides high value training that was relevant and realistic.” “The Heartland Blues event was an eye-opening experience,” said Jan Johnson, a safety manager with Warren Oil, a national petroleum, and chemical manufacturer. “It gave me a whole new outlook on how to respond on a major scale.” Next year’s exercise, planned for April 2024, will continue to build upon previous years’ efforts as it enters the "run" phase. There will be even more collaboration. Having plans and relationships established prior to an emergency allows responders to seamlessly work together; exercising improves coordination which leads to more efficient and effective emergency responses that restore the marine transportation infrastructure while protecting natural resources and human life. For more information, email [email protected]. . Heartland Blues 2023 brought together Coast Guard, industry, and port partners to exercise the response to a simulated hazardous materials barge crash and a simultaneous multi-car railroad derailment on a bridge over the Mississippi River. Plans and exercises help responders establish processes and relationships they'd call on in a real-world incident. Dining out at a dining in Past and present members of Coast Guard Reserve Joint Staff South gather at the 2023 "New Horizons" dining out held in Fort Eustis, Virginia May 5. Back row: Cmdr. Todd Remusat, Lt. Cmdr. Paul Farris, Cmdr. Nicholas Porta, Lt. Aaron Teboda, Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Thornton, Lt. Cmdr. Travis Thul, Lt. Cmdr. Joel Aber, Cmdr. Matthew Cunningham. Front/middle row: Cmdr. Russell Booker, Lt. Cmdr. Judee Brandt, Lt. Cmdr. Kaitlin Skiver, Cmdr. Allison Dussault, Cmdr. Faith Gamboa, Lt. Cmdr. Rick Rodriguez, Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Osetek, Cmdr. Michael Wysong, Cmdr. Amanda Ryan, Chief Petty Officer Zachary Houghton. Photo courtesy of Navy Capt. Robert Thoms Issue 2 • 2023 . RESERVIST 13 CELEBRATING CELEBRATING 70 70 YEARS OF THE RESERVIST YEARS OF THE RESERVIST
